You don't necessarily need a PC to be a member of the PCMR. You just have to recognize that PC is objectively superior to consoles in every way as explained here. It's not about the hardware in your rig, but the software in your heart!

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Giveaway Rules

The Master Race is generous. When we do giveaways we do it within the bounds of our subreddit. Feel free to give the games as you see fit, but don't mandate subscriptions or other benefits. You can post about your channel, just don't make it a requirement to go, comment or subscribe there to get prizes or to increase the likelihood of getting them. We prefer image screenshots of keys to avoid potential key-stealing bots. Consider PMs as a safer way to hand out keys.

Charity giveaways must be verified by moderators.

Users giving away physical items must provide photographic proof of ownership (including their username and date) in the giveaway thread. Shipping fees must be entirely financed by the user doing the giveaway (limiting the winner's location is allowed).

Builds Introduction

The purpose of this page is to disprove the myths about the price of a custom PC and educate people on possible hardware configurations for different budgets and performance requirements. The $400-$450 "Next-Gen Crusher" is the most popular, as it's the one build on the page that simultaneously outperforms next-gen consoles while maintaining the same price. Don't worry about the page looking messy, everything is readable once you understand the layout. With each build, you'll see a title, the exported list from PCPartPicker, the About section, the Augmentation section, and finally the benchmarks (if any). This is also hardware-only, although Windows can be bought at /r/MicrosoftSoftwareSwap for $20-$30.

Never buy public or example starter builds exactly as-is, there's always personal improvements and 24-hour sales that can lower the price while simultaneously improving price-performance even further beyond what a build committee like ourselves can offer. Remember to always peer-review your builds with communities such as /r/PcMasterRaceBuilds, /r/PCMasterRace or /r/KillYourConsole

Quick FAQ

Why no OS? Not everyone wants an OS that costs money. For those that do, there's several options, all of which can be obtained at /r/MicrosoftSoftwareSwap for less than $15-$30. You also have the option of just dealing with the 30-day Windows trial period or using Linux, which is a growing OS among the PC gaming crowd thanks to Valve, AMD, Nvidia, Intel, and all the other companies that have begun to focus on Linux.

Where can I get a Windows or Linux disc? The first step is downloading the disc image (usually an ISO) and the second step is burning it to a DVD (using InfraRecorder, free and open source!). Windows disc images can be legally downloaded officially (or via bittorrent clients or websites that host them) but will require key activation once installed (unless you download a shady one), and Linux disc images are all free anyways and can be found on their official project websites.

Why no display/mouse/keyboard? There are simply too many sizes and price points for these things. Hardware can scale, but physical input/output devices cannot. There's also a big chance people already own a TV or monitor (like they would with a console) and their own mouse/keyboard. If not, there are displays that can be found for as low as $89, and mouse/keyboard combos for $20 (see the full FAQ).

Doesn't AMD get outperformed by Intel at every price point? Not as much as you'd think. Many "reviews" from TomsHardware and Anandtech are responsible for this belief. They're both subsidiaries that operate under a single company and have been seen in the past using outdated (Adobe CS2, Starcraft 2, iTunes, etc), single-threaded, and even sabotaged software at arbitrary single-core-intensive settings as often as apparently possible, and has tricked many unknowing readers into believing select products (Intel CPUs) have a huge advantage and better price-performance. Some could call it an agenda, and it brings up some bad memories(2)(3) of similar incidents in the past that Intel was investigatively found to be responsible for. That's not to say Intel chips are bad, but it's definitely not as "great" as these sites are attempting to make the public believe they are. That's also not to say AMD is amazing or perfect, but they're not like these sites are attempting to make them look. TekSyndicate has some videos(another) somewhat related to the topic, as does Austin Evans. The builds on this page that use AMD chips use them for a reason. We use them because the price point is nice, and people really enjoy getting affordable gaming computers that easily crush the PS4 and Xbox One (which also use very similar AMD chips that are used in these builds!).

The rest of the FAQ can be found at the bottom of the page.

Success Stories

For those of you that have constructed a PC based on the builds listed here, submit a post to /r/PCMasterRace and link us to it! Be sure to include both text and photos!

The Nano

About

This is probably the cheapest desktop computing solution available in the world that can run Windows 10 IoT, a bunch of Linux distros, and low-end games like Quake 3. Oh, plus emulators! This will absolutely destroy any console created before the PS2/XBox.

The Micro

About

The cheapest possible (yet still practical) desktop PC that money can buy. This isn't recommended as a main machine for anyone that requires computing power over that of a mainstream PC from 2006. The Media Lite will offer much more, but the Micro is a perfect fit for a young kid, web browsing, or someone who just needs a simple home server. Any lightweight Linux distro would be a great fit for this machine. The Micro offers enough resources and storage to run pre-PS2/Xbox emulators and indie-style games with low system requirements, i.e. pixel graphics/2D platformers, and should run Steam In-Home Streaming with no issues.

The Media Lite

About

Not only do custom PCs scale much larger than the average mass-market machines, but they also scale much smaller. The Media Lite makes a perfect "HTPC" (Home Theater PC) - it's perfect for first-time builders or youngsters who just want a light machine for emulating old games, work, education, gameserver hosting, Steam In-Home Streaming, web browsing, network server hosting or data storage, old games, and video playback. You will be able to upgrade this build quite a bit, particularly by adding a dedicated Graphics Card or upgrading the CPU (or both... see Augmentations below the build!). The AMD APU in this build utilizes similar technology to the APU's in the XBox One and PS4, albeit with fewer CPU cores and far fewer compute units/graphics cores. The graphical performance of this A4 Richland-series APU is estimated to be somewhere between the first-generation XBox and the XBox 360 (or PS2 -> PS3), so you'll probably want to add a dedicated graphics card if you want to play anything particularly graphics-intensive (beyond pixel-graphics, 2D platformers, or low-spec indie titles). If you do add a dedicated graphics card, however, you will quickly surpass last-gen (XB360/PS3) performance and close in on current gen consoles.

The Media Elite

About

This HTPC is essentially a next-gen console with more versatility. The GPU in this build is capable of performing on-par with the current generation of gaming consoles, and the CPU is more than powerful enough to handle current-gen games without bottlenecking the GPU. You can expect to game at the same framerates, resolutions, and graphical fidelity as the PS4 or XBoxOne, but you will pay nearly $100 less for the privilege. With SteamOS nearing its full release and the advent of mainstream Linux gaming approaching, you won't even need to pay for your gaming Operating System. Hook this up to the TV, sit down with your console controller of choice, a new Steam controller (coming soon™), or any number of custom USB gamepads, and enjoy console-quality living room gaming with cheaper games... and now a cheaper, more versatile machine.

The Next-Gen Crusher

About

This is probably the best bang-for-your-buck build in this entire page. It renders any gaming console obsolete through superior performance. Considering that both next-gen consoles have significantly less processing power than this build (especially when you look at real-world gaming performance), this PC will have you absolutely set for the duration of the generation (if you're willing to drop your settings to what the consoles are locked at, which is usually around 900p, ~45FPS, and "Low-Medium"). This build in particular is suitable for running most modern games at 1080p/60fps/medium-high settings. It provides for PC versatility, as well. Do you want to play at 144fps on a 144Hz monitor for your First-person shooters? Perfect. Lower your settings and your framerate shoots up. Do you care less about the framerate than the extreme-quality visuals? Wonderful. Crank those dials up and witness the glory. Do you want to stream your gaming online? Mod your favorite game to death? Make videos for Youtube (or Vessal...)? Create high-res, high quality original content based on your favorite dragon movies? Books? Music? Homework? (yeah, parents.. we know you read this!) This PC will do it in style, and for many years to come.

This build originally targeted pretty strictly around $400, but it's been adjusted various times to include slightly more expensive parts deemed important.

The Next-Gen Exterminator

About

1080p60Hz on just about every game and nearly maxed out. This is where builds start to demonstrate console obsolescence. Very capable of getting 60+fps at 1080p with high settings. Meets the requirements for the Oculus Rift.

Benchmarks

The End-All

About

Beyond the End-All, the only thing you'll need to swap out to make a stronger build is getting an SSD. The motherboard supports multiple GPUs for both AMD and NVIDIA. The PSU provides more than enough power to support Crossfire/SLI setups. There is space to go as wild as you like. The rest are all more than enough to compete with the best PCs out there (as well as consoles, obviously). If you are wondering why we don't recommend i7s, read here. It also meets the requirements for the Oculus Rift. Please do note that this is a great build if you plan on OC/SLI/CF.

A cheaper lower wattage power supply if you don't plan on having multiple GPUs in the future <--- Due to the excellent pricing of the semi modular EVGA B2 currently and it's high quality there is no reason to include another PSU here as you would lose wattage and modularity for only a few dollars savings.

Benchmarks

Tips

Buying used can save you money, but you may have trouble with it later on and no warranty to lean on! See /r/HardwareSwap.

Operating system keys and discs can be found for $5-$40 (if you're looking for one that costs money)

The feeling of nerve-wracking fear and simultaneous excitement is normal for first-time builders. Just remember that these things were made to be put together by humans like you. Just take your time and don't force square pegs into round holes and you'll be installing your OS and drivers within the hour!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why don't you include an optical drive?

A: Aside from installing the operating system (sometimes not even then), an optical drive is a dead and obsolete piece of technology. The PC industry has long since migrated completely to the faster, cheaper, and simpler digital distribution method. If you want an optical drive, your best course of action would be to buy a portable external USB one so there's not an extra useless part in your computer.

Q: Why don't you include a keyboard and mouse in each build?

A: Keyboards and mice are a tough thing to include, since the majority of people have one or the other already... sometimes even both. If they don't, it's still a bit too subjective to just point people to a single keyboard and mouse. There's a lot of options out there for keyboards (mechanical, rubber dome, back lights, size, noise, etc) as well as mice (laser, optical, wireless, etc). There will be a few good generalized ones below:

Here's a decent and cheap keyboard and mouse combo that will be good enough to get anyone started.

Here's a nice mechanical keyboard (rubber dome keyboards really don't get much better than what's in the first combo). /r/MechanicalKeyboards can help you out if you're confused. Yes, they're freaking amazing and you will never want to type on anything else ever again.

A: There are far too many options out there when it comes to choosing and obtaining an OS. For Mac OSX fans, there's Hackintosh configurations. For Linux, you have a plethora of amazing, fast, and free distributions like Ubuntu, Elementary OS, and Steam OS. For Windows, you have Windows 7 (for those who don't want Windows 8), Windows 8, Windows Home Server (for hosting), etc. On top of that, obtaining Windows can be done many different ways. Some people just type in a key from another machine they already have. Some people already have it burned to a disc (which Microsoft legally distributes for free!), and some people just plain install it and ignore the activation requests.

Q: Why don't you include a monitor?

A: Consoles don't come with displays and neither should these. It would be unfair to enforce the need for a monitor when consoles don't come with them either. Besides, you can hook your PC up to your existing monitor or TV just like you could with a console. Monitors (and TVs) vary extensively, and it would be a bit unfair to try and predict what someone's needs would be. There's refresh rate (how fast it refreshes/maximum FPS it can display), there's display type (IPS for color clarity, TN for refresh rates), size (they can get pretty big), and other physical features (pivot, arm, bezel size, etc).

A: Contrary to popular reviewers like TomsHardware and Anandtech (800x600 DX9 Ultra detail cough cough), the newest architectures are actually pretty decent. The first builds use a very new "AM1" socket and are targeted toward extremely low budgets, low-power, and compact sizes. The Athlon X4, FX-6300, and FX-8320 are a bit older, though. However, they're still very nice chips for the price: Benchmarked Socket AM1 chips, Athlon X4, FX series, FX series (again).

Q: Why no i7?

A: Gaming doesn't benefit from i7s. The very reason you asked that question is the reason so many "gaming" PC manufacturers use the i7 in the first place. They use up all their budget on the i7 and then proceed to skimp on the graphics card and add a GeForce 220, resulting in an absolutely terribly-performing, plastic, and LED-encrusted machine. They know the first thing you'll be looking for is an i7 because that's what's advertised the most (and the rest of the machine suffers as a result). Don't fall for popular media, use an i5, it's one of the most solid, stable, and long-lasting chips money can buy.
For multi core optimized software, streaming and rendering in general, the higher core/thread count on the FX 83xx and i7 series does matter however.

AutoModerator Calling

This page supports calls. You can also call AutoModerator to print out an individual build, but you must call it by name. Example: "Show me the builds/show him the builds".